A ring for the Vikings

Published: Wednesday, July 17, 2013 at 08:33 PM.

Photo Galleries

In March, the girls defeated Canton Pisgah, 51-40, while the boys beat Waxhaw Cuthbertson, 56-53, for double state titles.

Monique Lofton, a four-year starter, wrapped up her senior year with a bang.

“Both of us made history,” the guard said of the pair of Vikings teams. “It’s something we’ll never forget. We can talk about it years and years from now. We were a close-knit group from the beginning, even through our losses, we kept fighting and we kept playing together.”

Smiles stuck to the players’ faces as they braced the stage and opened their rings in front of an audience.

Team members were called individually with a personal word from the coaches attached.

The last player called was Josh Dawson, a four-year starting guard who now has three state championship rings — which speaks for itself.

“As we get older and we see each other, we’re still going to be able to remember this moment,” said Dawson, who signed with Fayetteville State University. “We won as a whole. It sets the tone because (Kinston High) still has players coming back.”

Jay Taylor watched his brother on the very same stage he stood this time last year.

Taylor, himself a Kinston High School basketball champion of the 2011-12 season, watched his younger brother Jeremy open a little white box bearing a gleaming ring.

“It’s amazing,” Jay Taylor said. “It’s like watching me last year. My little brother’s up there now as a state champion also. State champion — it says it for itself.”

Both Kinston High varsity basketball teams were honored with championship rings Wednesday for winning NCSHAA 2A State Championships in March. It was the boys’ team fourth title in six years, but it was the first championship in school history for the girls.

“It’s a big day,” girls head coach Hubert Quinerly said. “It’s the first time in history for our girls. It’s something we put a lot of work into. It’s big for our fans because they’re very excited to see it as well.”

As each team was introduced in the Brody Brothers Auditorium of the Performing Arts Center on the school’s campus, dozens of fans applauded for the teams. Boys head coach Perry Tyndall said the success was not possible without the support.

“This night does not happen without a lot of people involved,” said Tyndall to the group Wednesday evening. “We’ve had (state championships) in the last few years, and so I hope it never waters down what it means for these kids and what they’ve accomplished. It’s pretty special to have both the boys and the girls do this this year and to be able to celebrate it tonight.”

In March, the girls defeated Canton Pisgah, 51-40, while the boys beat Waxhaw Cuthbertson, 56-53, for double state titles.

Monique Lofton, a four-year starter, wrapped up her senior year with a bang.

“Both of us made history,” the guard said of the pair of Vikings teams. “It’s something we’ll never forget. We can talk about it years and years from now. We were a close-knit group from the beginning, even through our losses, we kept fighting and we kept playing together.”

Smiles stuck to the players’ faces as they braced the stage and opened their rings in front of an audience.

Team members were called individually with a personal word from the coaches attached.

The last player called was Josh Dawson, a four-year starting guard who now has three state championship rings — which speaks for itself.

“As we get older and we see each other, we’re still going to be able to remember this moment,” said Dawson, who signed with Fayetteville State University. “We won as a whole. It sets the tone because (Kinston High) still has players coming back.”

He said the Vikings faced many doubts this year because of the seniors they lost.

“The fact that we stayed together and worked hard as a team is an attitude that will carry over to the younger guys,” Dawson said. “I believe that they’re going to continue to work hard, (and) continue to win state championships.”

Jessika Morgan can be reached at 252-559-1078 and Jessika.Morgan@Kinston.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessikaMorgan.